- Primary Subject: Xbox
- Key Update: Major leadership shakeup replaces longtime veterans with Big Tech executives
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: May 6, 2026
- Quick Answer: Xbox is undergoing a major leadership reset under Asha Sharma, bringing in executives from AI and Big Tech while longtime Microsoft veterans step aside, aiming to modernize the brand—but sparking debate over whether it will help or further disconnect Xbox from players.
Xbox’s new era under CEO Asha Sharma is starting with a major leadership reset, and it already looks like one of the most controversial moves the brand has made in years.
After taking over Xbox in February 2026, Sharma is now reshaping the company’s platform leadership by bringing in executives from Microsoft’s CoreAI group, as well as people with experience at Meta, OpenAI, GitHub, Instacart, Airbnb, and Vercel.
The goal, according to Sharma’s internal memo, is to help Xbox “evolve how we work and how we are organized,” especially because she believes the company has become too slow, too internally focused, and lacking in some technical and consumer-facing areas.
Who Is Leaving Xbox After Decades at Microsoft?
The shakeup isn’t only about bringing in new hires, as longtime Microsoft and Xbox veterans are also stepping aside or transitioning into new roles.
Kevin Gammill, who spent 24 years at Microsoft and 16 years working across Xbox and gaming initiatives, is leaving his current role.
Roanne Sones, another 24-year Microsoft veteran, is also taking a leave of absence before returning as an advisor. That is why the shift stands out as Xbox is not only hiring new talent, it is replacing veteran leaders with executives from AI, cloud, growth, and consumer-tech fields.
Which Big Tech Executives Are Being Brought Into Xbox?
Among the biggest additions is Jared Palmer, formerly VP of Product at CoreAI, who will now work on Xbox’s product, engineering, developer tools, infrastructure, and even matters of “taste.”
Tim Allen, another CoreAI and GitHub veteran with past design roles at Instacart and Airbnb, will lead Xbox design. Jonathan McKay, who previously worked at Meta and OpenAI before heading growth at CoreAI, is becoming Xbox’s head of growth.
Evan Chaki, also from CoreAI, will lead a team focused on simplifying development and reducing repetitive work, while David Schloss from Instacart will oversee subscriptions and cloud.
Is Xbox Completely Replacing Its Existing Leadership?
Even so, not every Xbox veteran is being phased out, as Jason Ronald is being promoted to lead Project Helix and the platform, Jason Beaumont will oversee product and serve as interim engineering head, Fatima Kardar will run a new personalization group centered on features like search and discovery, and Jenn Creegan will lead the media side of the business.
It comes across as a mix of continuity and change, keeping those who know Xbox’s history while adding leaders with deeper expertise in AI, growth, design, cloud, and consumer platforms.
The bigger context is that Xbox is trying to recover from a rough stretch. Reports point to falling hardware sales, weakened brand momentum, and frustration from players who feel Xbox has lost its identity.
Sharma has already made several bold changes, including killing the “This is an Xbox” campaign, lowering Game Pass pricing, changing how Call of Duty fits into Game Pass, and reassessing Xbox’s approach to exclusives and AI.
That’s why the response has been so divided, as some consider the shakeup a necessary reset, while others believe it shows Microsoft is treating Xbox less like a gaming brand and more like a Big Tech platform test.
The concern is that replacing experienced gaming veterans with AI and growth executives may help Xbox evolve, but could also make it feel less in touch with players.
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